Episode Summary
Following the battle of Pa Yi City, Zichuan Xiu entrusts his command to a subordinate and disappears on a secret mission. He resurfaces in the enemy camp, feigning a defection to Yun Qianxue for "fame and fortune." While his family and commanders in the Zichuan capital are thrown into disbelief and turmoil, the enemy hosts a grand banquet to welcome him. At the feast, Xiu reveals his true objective: he publicly assassinates the traitor Lei Hong, declaring that all who betray the Zichuan family will be killed without mercy.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 4 Recap & Spoilers: A Traitor's Gambit
The dust from the brutal siege of Pa Yi City settles, but the conflict is far from over. Episode 4 shifts from the battlefield to the treacherous world of espionage and political maneuvering, culminating in a shocking act that will redefine the war.
The Aftermath and a Painful Farewell
Following the battle, peace talks commence. Yun Qianxue, leading the victorious side, dictates the terms: Zichuan must pay a ransom for its captured soldiers. As she takes control of Pa Yi City, she is stunned to find only a handful of defenders remaining. A newfound respect for their tenacity dawns on her, and in a gesture of goodwill, she orders her men to give the defeated soldiers horses for their journey home. She recognizes in them an indomitable spirit that can never truly be conquered.
Across a river, a heart-wrenching, silent exchange takes place. Si Yilin, standing on the opposite bank, spots Princess Kadan's carriage. Their eyes meet for a fleeting, agonizing moment, a thousand words left unsaid as tears stream down Kadan's face. Later, upon seeing the arrow-riddled walls of Pa Yi City and the words Si Yilin carved there, she breaks down, the full weight of the battle's ferocity crashing down on her.
Meanwhile, Zichuan Xiu sees his two brothers off on their return to the Imperial Capital. In a significant move, he hands his famous "Moon-Washing Saber" to his trusted subordinate, Bai Chuan. He entrusts his entire unit, the Xiu-zi Camp, to Bai Chuan's leadership, cryptically stating he has an important, solitary mission to undertake. Knowing he can't get a straight answer, Bai Chuan reluctantly accepts.
On his journey back, Si Yilin encounters the father of Mao Cai, a fallen soldier. He honors the man's memory by calling him a brave warrior, accepting tea eggs meant for the son he knows is dead. He gives the old man Mao Cai's last possessions, unable to bring himself to deliver the final, devastating news. Upon his return to the capital, Si Yilin kneels before the regent, Can Xing, expecting punishment for his defeat. Instead, Can Xing offers encouragement, insisting that as long as they are alive, there is hope to reclaim all that was lost. A grateful Si Yilin vows he will do just that.
A Hero's Betrayal?
Zichuan Xiu's absence is immediately felt. Si Yilin is forced to lie to a hopeful Zichuan Ning, telling her that Xiu has been reassigned to a remote outpost. Crushed that Xiu left no message for her, she passes along an item that Kadan had left for Si Yilin.
As days turn into weeks, Xiu's unit, led by Bai Chuan, deliberately slows their march, anxiously awaiting their commander's return. But he never comes. Worry turns to panic as Zichuan Xiu is declared missing, and vicious rumors begin to circulate about the Xiu-zi Camp.
The worst fears seem to be confirmed when Li Qing brings shocking news to Zichuan Ning: Zichuan Xiu has defected. An eyewitness account claims Xiu walked directly into Yun Qianxue's camp and surrendered. During his interrogation, Xiu flippantly claims he did it for fame and fortune. Yun Qianxue remains deeply skeptical, questioning why he wouldn't have turned traitor during the siege of Pa Yi City, where he could have been far more useful. Xiu brushes it off, citing loyalty to his brothers-in-arms at the time, but promises he will show no mercy to them on the battlefield now. Though wary, Yun Qianxue promises him great rewards if his allegiance proves true.
The news sends shockwaves through the Zichuan capital. Zichuan Ning, refusing to believe it, demands an investigation from Can Xing. She is soon joined by Di Lin and Si Yilin, who both argue that the timing makes no sense; Xiu's betrayal would have been logical during the battle, not after. Can Xing agrees to uncover the truth.
A Calculated Welcome
In the enemy camp, the Divine Emperor is also suspicious of this high-profile defection. Yun Qianxue admits she cannot be certain of his motives. A shadowy advisor notes Xiu's reputation: a brilliant and loyal commander, but also a man known for profiting from war, suggesting a greedy streak. The Emperor makes a strategic calculation: whether Xiu's defection is real or fake, accepting him is a massive psychological blow to the Zichuan clan. He gives a clear order: not only accept Xiu, but give him a position of power and honor him with a grand welcome banquet that very night.
At the lavish feast, a seemingly drunk Zichuan Xiu loudly asks to meet the famed warrior Lei Hong. His boorish behavior earns him scorn from others, who mock him as a turncoat. When Yun Qianxue presses him for information about skilled warriors within Zichuan, Xiu deflects, speaking only of wine and women.
The tense atmosphere thickens when Princess Kadan, having heard of Xiu's betrayal, arrives at the banquet. She and Xiu pointedly ignore one another. Just then, the traitor Lei Hong appears. He warns everyone not to trust Zichuan Xiu, claiming that Xiu had always wanted to kill him. "Do not believe a single word that comes out of his mouth," he snarls.
In an instant, the air changes. Zichuan Xiu's eyes flash red. With terrifying speed, he crushes the wine cup in his hand and lunges, slashing at Lei Hong's throat. From a simple hand gesture, Yun Qianxue recognizes Xiu as the masked swordsman who once dueled her. She moves to intercept, striking his arm, but it's too late.
Zichuan Xiu kills Lei Hong. Standing over the body, his mission complete, he makes a chilling declaration for all to hear: "Any who betray the Zichuan family will be shown no mercy. They will be killed."
